Winter project (INTERIOR) looking for comments
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 35
Winter project (INTERIOR) looking for comments
Dash pad removal - easy? (do you have to take the dash out?)
Steering column removal - easy?
Cluster removal - easy? (I know, use Jason Oliver to restore)
Radio restoration - suggested vendor?
Steering column removal - easy?
Cluster removal - easy? (I know, use Jason Oliver to restore)
Radio restoration - suggested vendor?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by crw41
Steering column removal - easy?
Cluster removal - easy? (I know, use Jason Oliver to restore)
1) Use the 1/4 x 20 long bolts with heads removed in place of the mounting screws to help you move the cluster away from the dash without having to support it seperately
2) It won't go far until you disconnect the oil line
3) Then the tach cable and speedo cables will be your constraint
4) With those disconnected you can get the cluster far enough away from the current mounting location to be able to disconnect all the wires from the back
Radio restoration - suggested vendor?
vettenut007@comcast.net
Joe Ray Parts Co.
2025 Cedar Creek Rd.
N. Little Rock, AR. 72116
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 65
Originally Posted by crw41
Dash pad removal - easy? (do you have to take the dash out?)
Easy, clips are a pain, use a common screw driver ~the same width as the clip to spread the top and close the clips, plan to buy many replace ments. The replacement pads should be heated in the sun to soften them up so they conform to the dash more easily, that is going to be a trick in the winter, I guess and electric blanket would do the same thing. If you get stuck E-mail me and I will get you through this
Steering column removal - easy?
Very easy, just mark the rag joint, take the bolt out of the rag joint so the sfaft slips out easily and the shaft to put it back in the same position so your wheel is straight. While it's out put a new turn signal switch in.
Cluster removal - easy? (I know, use Jason Oliver to restore)
If you pull the seat, column, and wear glassses so stuff does not fall in your eyes, it not hard, just tedious. Plan on replacing all bulbs, covers (LICS has them) and lub the tach cable and speedo cable with graphite while everthing is apart (sparingly so you don't muck up the heads)
Radio restoration - suggested vendor?
Easy, clips are a pain, use a common screw driver ~the same width as the clip to spread the top and close the clips, plan to buy many replace ments. The replacement pads should be heated in the sun to soften them up so they conform to the dash more easily, that is going to be a trick in the winter, I guess and electric blanket would do the same thing. If you get stuck E-mail me and I will get you through this
Steering column removal - easy?
Very easy, just mark the rag joint, take the bolt out of the rag joint so the sfaft slips out easily and the shaft to put it back in the same position so your wheel is straight. While it's out put a new turn signal switch in.
Cluster removal - easy? (I know, use Jason Oliver to restore)
If you pull the seat, column, and wear glassses so stuff does not fall in your eyes, it not hard, just tedious. Plan on replacing all bulbs, covers (LICS has them) and lub the tach cable and speedo cable with graphite while everthing is apart (sparingly so you don't muck up the heads)
Radio restoration - suggested vendor?
Last edited by tentuna; Sep 15, 2006 at 09:30 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
1. Dash pad removal-difficulty level-medium.
You will need to remove the radio, glovebox, steering column, and gauge cluster. I use an icepick to seperate the clips and then a pair of needle nose pliers to pull them out. Without removing the entire dash it will be difficult if not impossible to get all of the clips back in.
2. steering column-very easy
3. Gauge cluster-easy to medium. Make sure you label everything and it will save you a lot of time when you go to put it back together.
You will need to remove the radio, glovebox, steering column, and gauge cluster. I use an icepick to seperate the clips and then a pair of needle nose pliers to pull them out. Without removing the entire dash it will be difficult if not impossible to get all of the clips back in.
2. steering column-very easy
3. Gauge cluster-easy to medium. Make sure you label everything and it will save you a lot of time when you go to put it back together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 3
From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
I agree. Make sure you have a service manual. It has a great wiring diagram in it. Make some photocopies of the cluster wiring in it. It is easier than dealing with the book and you can mark them up.
I hate to mention it...but while you are there....it would be your best time to replace the wiring harness. Most of it is cluster connections anyways.
I hate to mention it...but while you are there....it would be your best time to replace the wiring harness. Most of it is cluster connections anyways.
Originally Posted by Corbrastang
3. Gauge cluster-easy to medium. Make sure you label everything and it will save you a lot of time when you go to put it back together.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 60
From: Buffalo New York
Originally Posted by Grey Ghost
I agree. Make sure you have a service manual. It has a great wiring diagram in it. Make some photocopies of the cluster wiring in it. It is easier than dealing with the book and you can mark them up.
I hate to mention it...but while you are there....it would be your best time to replace the wiring harness. Most of it is cluster connections anyways.
I hate to mention it...but while you are there....it would be your best time to replace the wiring harness. Most of it is cluster connections anyways.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Dennis Beck
I am taking my cluster out this winter and I always wondered if it would be the best time for the wiring harness. What else comes out? Radio and glove box?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Don't forget the console side panels, those need to come off too. Then there's the "Gee, while I'm in there" stuff, like rebushing the pedal assembly, new seals on the vent doors......... If you can resist, you're a better man than I.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 3
From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
LB6683 is right. If you are down for a long winter and have the funds. Might as well tackle several things while you are there. Including firewall grommets, sealing, etc...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 3
From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
I think...it is bonded at the console area. Rivets hold the wings to the jamb area. Drill the rivets out and break the bond.
Last edited by Grey Ghost; Sep 15, 2006 at 04:39 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by crw41
If the dash has to come out - does anyone had a link or a site that will show the best way to do this?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...671&forum_id=4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
doing the gauge cluster thing and harness (I rate it high on the swear word list scale myself) means you will be pulling the steering column (at least it makes it a ton easier and it is quick and easy to do) so you might as well look at the upper and lower bearing packs while you have the dang thing out (I was pulling my cluster this spring, and when I took out my column, little bearings came dribbling out - ruh roh, project creep!)
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by crw41
If the dash has to come out - does anyone had a link or a site that will show the best way to do this?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 35
Thanks John, I actually saved that issue.
Doing a little researching, it sounds like the way to go about doing the dash pad replacement is to actually remove the whole dash.
I was hoping someone could provide a link or pics as to how to go about:
- drilling out the dash rivets
- replacing the rivets
- other tips on taking the dash out
Doing a little researching, it sounds like the way to go about doing the dash pad replacement is to actually remove the whole dash.
I was hoping someone could provide a link or pics as to how to go about:
- drilling out the dash rivets
- replacing the rivets
- other tips on taking the dash out